We are all talking about the future of jobs. But the question that we should perhaps ask, the most essential one, is: How should those jobs look like (or what should those jobs be)?
With the evolution of the nature of the job market, we are facing new realities and changes in employment, and the workforce as well. Constructive, inspiring but yet disruptive innovations are creating new industries and business models, and are profoundly changing who, where, when, and how work is done. Inevitably, this drives companies to explore new approaches.
As virtually all types of professions are rapidly changing, being on top of these changes means to catch the wave of change and often be ahead of it. The rise of the 4.0 Revolution, affects almost every industry and in the face of these transformations, which in some ways present better options, but turbulence as well, there are no easy answers. It is becoming more and more evident that the path ahead will involve blending human, automation and AI elements together to create an optimally augmented workforce. The advancements in AI, robotics, big data etc. have created a new reality and a new digital interference which is changing how we interact with the world. Even though the impact of automation at this time is mostly focused in a few industries, soon it will spread across all industries. In light of the rapid digital transformation, the international standards play a pivotal role in future developments, because they are the tools that facilitate uninterrupted adoption of technologies. International standards such as the ISOs, provide the best practices and guidelines and sustainable solutions to the challenges that come with new technology.
Sergio Mujica, the ISO Secretary-General succinctly explained in a video on the eve of the International Standards Day 2018: “Over 250 years ago the standards were crucial during the first industrial revolution, and they continue to play a critical role in the transition to this era. An era where AI, robotics and additive manufacturing, to name a few, affect almost every industry, in every country, not to mention our wider society.” Further, he emphasized:
In a world where boundaries between the physical and virtual spheres are becoming even more blurred, we are reminded of how standards will help ensure compatibility and interoperability around the globe, so these emerging technologies can be seamlessly adopted by society in the future.
The central premise of his argument holds true, because in harnessing the power of emerging technologies, international standards are more important than ever. They are a powerful tool in making processes more reliable and predictable. How can we ensure that our service providers keep our personal data secure? What about the safety of the products that we buy? One thing is for sure: Standards instill trust and advance innovation in different markets, assuring that the same level of excellence is maintained throughout the industries.
I believe this new era of science & tech still holds a lot of surprises regarding the future of communications, and ultimately, collaboration.
As Jacob Morgan, Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, & Futurist said:
This means knowledge and experience are no longer the primary commodity. Instead, what is far more valuable is to have the ability to learn and to apply those learnings into new and unique scenarios. It’s no longer about what you know, it’s about how you can learn and adapt.
The clock is ticking and there’s more to come. Amidst a rapidly changing technological landscape and changes in the workforce, business leaders must act to harness the power of the new digital era. All these developments drive us to question: What skills do you need to survive the rise of technology? What are the most important skills required to be successful in the future job market?
As the jobs are changing, is it possible to prepare today for the jobs of tomorrow? This article sheds light on some of the most in-demand jobs that will be the most sought-after among employers.
1. Information Security Analysts
We can’t deny that the demand for Information Security is growing at a breathtaking rate. This career is at the forefront of an exciting industry. Even though it is a competitive career field, you will have the chance to serve as the guardian of data and information systems. As such, you will deal with preparing and executing several security measures to continue to support the protection of the information systems and the databases, and networks from cyber threats.
With this job likely to be challenging and constantly evolving, employers are continuously recognizing and valuing, apart from skills and experience, certifications as well – so it seems that those considering a move towards roles in information security can look forward to a rewarding career with excellent prospects.
2. Mobile Applications Developer
With new technology advancements, the need for the creation of efficient and effective mobile apps increases as well, and considering these developments, smartphones and tablets are rapidly redefining the market. They have become an inseparable part of our lives, as a lot is easily managed from these devices The year 2018 had some amazing development trends in mobile technology such as Samsung Galaxy S9 and Note 9, iPhone XR and iPhone XS, iOS 12, Android Pie, to name just a few. According to Statista, in 2017 consumers downloaded around 180 billion apps on their connected devices. It is predicted that by 2021, this figure will grow and reach around 300 billion downloads. Considering all these developments, can we say that mobile skills are now the most wanted in the computing industry? The demand for mobile application developers will constantly continue to increase as the businesses are increasingly using mobile technology to reach their customers. As such, mobile app developers need to be up-to-date with the latest trends.
3. CyberSecurity Engineer/Analyst
As information systems become more sophisticated, so do the skills of people who attempt to attack them. More than ever before, significant data breaches are becoming common, leaving individuals and organizations vulnerable, so cybersecurity engineers are required to develop the skills and programs needed to counter such attacks. Cyber-attacks pose the greatest threat to organizations, and that is why organizations of all kinds and sizes are focusing their efforts on protecting their data. According to a recent report by PwC on Global Economic Crime Fraud Survey, it is reported that in 2018 cybercrime has been ranked the second most reported economic crime, at 31%. Considering that cyber-attacks can be costly, it is no surprise that the demand for cybersecurity experts will increase. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, it’s predicted that there will be around 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings by 2021. So, cybercriminals are taking advantage and attacking the understaffed organizations.
Considering the shortage of security engineers, organizations are in a tight spot, and they should be willing to offer competitive salaries. So why not consider a cyber-security role?
4. Quality Management Professionals
Industry 4.0 offers new and stimulating challenges to the Quality professionals, because as this new revolution continues to evolve, they should ensure Quality in entirely new dimensions and ensure that they remain an integral asset throughout this industrial revolution. Automated systems will create additional challenges, for which a robust quality foundation is needed.
Opportunities exist for the Quality professionals to not only make important contributions in different areas such as reliability, software quality assurance, process validation, to mention a few, but also to contribute in process improvement, sustain customer focus and achieve operational excellence.
5. Data Architect
In today’s market, as tech alternatives are becoming more advanced, so are business processes and data complexity. More than ever, data is seen as a business asset and strategic differentiator, and that’s when the data architects get a ‘seat at the table’. The importance of the role of Data Architects has been continuously increasing, and consequently, they have become the crucial link between business and technology. Many organizations want to take advantage of all the benefits their data has to offer, and they don’t want to only capture it, but to understand how to benefit from that information in a way that’s useful for their business. The data architects should be able to use best practices, and understand each of the business alternatives and work with different teams, to ensure that information is controlled accurately and in a way that is beneficial for their employer.
It is an exciting time to work in data management, and individuals should take advantage of this opportunity and most importantly discover how they can add value to the organization.
6. Robotics Specialists and Engineers
When we are talking about the field of robotics, we can say that the future is bright. Robotics is the future and it implicates more than just “building robots”. The robotics career is different from many traditional jobs, as it is truly a multidisciplinary career, so it’s the right time to take advantage of this opportunity. As the new technology fields arise, in order to be successful, the engineers need to learn how to navigate this new tech wave, such as the advancement of robotics.
One of the industries that will be focused in robotic investments is manufacturing – however, in the recent years, we have seen a rapid expansion of research and engineering in robotics, also in the other fields. We can say with certainty that soon enough robots will be employed in a great range of new activities, and those engineers who can best predict the needs which can be successfully occupied by robots, and who can work effectively in engineering teams to develop them, will be particularly successful in the field.
7. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Specialists
AI and Machine Learning are the new frontiers of technology, and the ethical discourse on this issue is getting more intense every day. They are poised to unleash the next wave of digital disruption. One of the reasons is simply practical. As a recent report by Gartner presents, that by 2020 AI will create 2.3 million Machine Learning jobs, Machine Learning is becoming one of the hottest career choices today. For those that have a passion for technology and an entrepreneurial spirit, it clearly makes sense to follow an AI career path as new roles emerge, so they can look forward to new challenges and achieve leading positions in game-changing innovation. Artificial Intelligence is in its early stages and organizations are willing to employ individuals who can help them adapt and then move ahead.
Given the myriad of possibilities, if you are looking for a career in this field, it’s a great time to start preparing yourself for this exciting and rapidly changing field.
How Can Standards Keep Up With The Pace of New Developments?
Despite these trends, it is clear that people are at the heart of all organizational transformations driven by this phenomenon. It is not the people that become redundant, but it is the jobs, and as long as individuals are willing to learn and adapt, there will be enough employment options.
The demand for skills is transforming at a faster pace than ever before, and embracing these changes is imperative for achieving positive results in catching up with the future global workforce.
However, in order to seize its full potential for the betterment of the society, as well as meet the challenges of the digital world, international standards are essential. Standards do not only provide instructions; they also aim to build a balanced environment that supports security and privacy, consumer safety, environmental and energy management and become a catalyst, rather than a hurdle for digital innovation. International standards have made an important impact on our society and they will continue to be involved in our daily lives. Furthermore, the usage of international standards supports us in building the bases for 4.0 Revolution, which apart from delivering efficiency and innovation; it can also create a revolution that is sustainable, rational and more inclusive than those that came before it.
For more interesting articles, please download the 17th issue of the PECB Insights Magazine.
